Changeable numbering device



l. E. ALLEN.

CHANGEABLE NUMBEmNG DEvlc APPLICATION FILED SEPT.2.19|2.

Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

1lio

JOSEPH E. ALLEN, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT.

CHANGEABLE NUMBERING DVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 12, 1912. Serial No. 719,914.

To all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOSEPH E. ALLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Stamford, county of Fairfield, and State of 5 Connecticut, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Changeable Numbering Devices, fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, forming aipart of the same.

This invention relates to certain improvements in changeable numbering or lettering devices, and it is the especial object of the invention to provide a device having changeable numbers or letters held securely in a frame of improved construction which may be used for numbering or lettering houses, stores, streets and the like, the numbers being so constructed and held in position that any one of them, where more than one numeral or letter is used, may be readily changed without having to remove all the numbers or letters from their securing frame.

A further object of the invention is to construct the numbers and so arrange them in the frame that they will stand out plainly and be readable at a distance, both in the day time and at night. 30` A further object of the invention is to produce a device of this character which may be readily and quickly assembled, without special preparation or measurement, which shall be simple, and which shall be so constructed as to prevent, as far as possible, access of dirt, thereby keeping the numbers clean and visible. y

A convenient arrangement for carrying out these objects ofthe invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and such will now be described in connection therewith.

In the drawing-Figure 1 is a front view of the device with the various parts assembled, two numbers being shown in the'illustration; Fig. 2 is a back view of the construction shown in Fig. 1, certain parts being broken away and certain other parts being shown in a different position; Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a cross-section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is a view of one of the metal blanks with the number cut or stamped out therefrom.

VReferring now to these drawings, the invention in its preferred form embodies a frame 1. The frame is of the desired dimens1ons to accommodate numbers of the required size. The frame 1 is made in suitable sizes to accommodate one, two or as many of the number blanks as may be re- .being all integral with each other and in the same plane. The front flanges are preferably formed as narrow as possible and yet afford a suitable rest or abutment for the various parts of the device which are to be assembled in the frame. The side flanges and bottom flanges are of a depth sufficient to accommodate the various elements of the device hereafter referred to. The bottom flange and the side flanges are furthermore lprovided with a plurality of holding projections or lugs 5 which may be conveniently formed at the same time that the frame is stamped, these projections being arranged to be bent inwardly in the same plane as illustrated in Fig. 2. On the bottom flange certain of the lugs, as 6, may be formed somewhat wider than the others. These wide lugs 6 are provided at certain points where the meeting edges of two number blanks will abut, this construction being adopted to more firmly hold the numbers in position.

For holding the various parts of the device rigidly in position there is provided a backing piece 7 which is slidable beneath the llugs as illustrated in Fig. 2. The back piece 7 is furthermore provided with a top flange 8, shown in Fig. l, which laps over the upper edges of the various parts when they have been assembled and on to the edge ofy the top flange 2 of the frame, this construction acting to prevent, to a large extent, dirt from enteringlthe frame.

The numbers,-numbers being shown in the present instance, although it will be understood letters may be used if desired,-are

Patented Aug. 8, 1916.

preferably formed by being cut out ofthin This effect can be produced in various ways.

In the construction illustrated the number blanks 9 from which the numbers are cut out are of blackened metal and the blanks when positioned in the; frame are backed with a backing of a- White material such as a thin white celluloid sheet l0. This has the eiect of making the numbers stand out, as it were, so that they are very easy to read at a distance, or in a dim light. This effect can be further increased by placing before the number blanks a facing of some transparent material, such as a sheet of glass, 11.

In assembling the device the sheet of glass is first placed in the frame and abuts against the' front fianges 2.' The required numerals are then placed in position, the backing of celluloid placed on them, and then the back piece inserted and slid beneath the holding projections on the frame.

The invention has been shown and described in what is believed to be its most convenient form. Certain changes and variations, however, may be made in the construction of the device without departing from the invention claimed, and thel invention claimed yis not to be restricted to the exact details shown and described.

What is claimed is A weather-proof changeable numbering trasting color, and a sliding metal back piece adapted to engage the side and bottom members of the frame and be engaged by the tabs to hold the backing, carriers, and transparent sheet against eachother and against the front ianges, said backing piece having at the top an inwardly extending flange forming a cover for the top of the frame and pro-' tecting the parts contained therein.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH E. ALLEN. i

sWitnesses:

P. M. TILDEN, T. F. KEHOE.

40 or number, a backing of a material of con- 

